MANILA — The Philippines’ top migrant workers official is set to travel to Kuwait next week to personally assess conditions for Filipino workers there, as the government reported Thursday that more than 9,000 overseas Filipino workers have been repatriated amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced the visit during a press briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, saying the trip comes as the number of Filipinos in Kuwait seeking to return home continues to grow.
“The repatriation flights will continue,” Cacdac said. “In Kuwait, it’s been reported that more people are wanting to go home.”
As of Thursday, 9,038 overseas Filipino workers, commonly referred to as OFWs, have been repatriated, according to Cacdac. The government has extended financial assistance to approximately 17,517 workers affected by the regional tensions — 9,822 of whom have returned to the Philippines, while 7,695 remained abroad but experienced disruptions to their work hours, salaries, or shifts.
Workers who chose to remain in their host countries received $200 in on-site financial assistance. Those who returned to the Philippines received a separate package that includes 10,000 Philippine pesos from the DMW’s Aksyon Fund and an additional 10,000 pesos from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Repatriated workers are also eligible for free health check-ups through the Department of Health, free skills training vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and job placement assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also providing additional support.
Cacdac said the government also extended financial assistance to workers who had initially purchased their own airline tickets during the early stages of the repatriation effort but were later affected by flight cancellations.
The DMW chief emphasized that the response is a coordinated, whole-of-government effort, with his department working alongside OWWA and multiple other agencies. He added that the government is also reinforcing long-term reintegration support through the National Reintegration Network.
“The repatriation efforts and provision of necessary support to ensure the safe and orderly return of affected OFWs will continue, in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Cacdac said.
The Philippines is one of the world’s largest exporters of labor, with millions of Filipinos working across the Middle East in sectors ranging from domestic work to construction and healthcare.
